Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Washington

My father died 14 months ago. He had a house in California and Washington state. My sister is the executor of his estate. The attorney in California handled everything smoothly and is finished. He kept everyone up to date on everything that was happening. The attorney in Washington state died and the probate was taken over by the attorney's daughter who is mainly a divorce attorney.

Things have been a mess ever since. My sister has been charging an hourly rate for her and her husband for anything they can think of and the bill is getting enormous.

My brother and myself have never received anything from the attorney regarding our father's estate. I contacted the attorney myself and was told that my brother and myself were "BANNED" from having any contact with them.

My brother and I retained an probate attorney to see if we could get information through him, but he was told there was a conflict of interest and was denied any information whatsoever.

We don't know what to do next but wait.

What can we do to find out what is going on?


Asked on 2/23/10, 5:32 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ann Sattler Aiken, St. Louis & Siljeg, P.S.

If you hired an attorney to represent you in the probate of your father's estate, he/she should receive information about the probate. There is no reason (such as any conflict) why he/she should be denied information on your behalf. If the attorney cannot represent you because of a conflict he/she has, that is different and you should merely hire another attorney. If your attorney is being denied information and is not taking further action against the attorney/party denying you information in the probate, then you should fire your attorney and find another one soon.

DISCLAIMER: this is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.

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Answered on 3/01/10, 2:12 pm


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